The Gambia is a country in West Africa and is the smallest country on the continent of Africa. It has a short North Atlantic Ocean coastline in the west and is surrounded by Senegal so that it is almost an enclave. The country occupies the navigable length of the Gambia River valley and surrounding hills.
The Gambia has a strong musical tradition, often associated with weddings, feast-days such as the end of Ramadam, or Christmas. Traditional instruments include the kora (lute), bala(xylophone), and the tama(hand-held drum).
Though the majority of the population is Muslim, Christmas brings celebration with large lanterns called fanals, often in the shape of boats or houses and intricately decorated. The fanals are paraded through the streets to singing and chanting.
Every year, thousands of international visitors come to The Gambia, drawn by its beaches, birds, sunshine, and the country’s biggest asset : the Gambian people, whose hospitality and friendliness have made it “The Smiling Coast”. Tourism has become the fastest-growing sector of the economy, contributing 12% of the country’s GDP and providing employment for over 100,000 Gambians. More and more visitors are returning year after year.
FACTS ABOUT THE GAMBIA
Official Country Name: Republic of The Gambia
Capital City: Banjul
Gambia’s Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic Coordinates: 13 28N, 16 34 W
Coastline & Area:80 km and area of 11,300 square km
Climate: sub-tropical climate with two distinct dry & rainy Season’s annual rainfall:1,296 millimeters
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions & 1 city: Banjul, Lower river, Central river, Upper river, North bank and Western division
Country dialing code: +220
Currency: D1=100B
Defense: Expenditure: 0.5%(2006) OF GDP, no conscription
Government Office Hours: 8am to 4pm, Friday’s half-day
GDP ppp: GDP per capita ppp $1,200-GDP:(2008)$2.044 billion
Independence Day: February 18th(1965) from Britain
Internet Domain: .gm
Land Area: 10,000sq km + water=11,295 sq km
Land Boundaries: 740 km
Main Exports: Groundnuts, fish and palm kernels
Main Service Industry: Tourism
Languages: Fula, Mandinika, Jola, Wolof&Serahuli, other indigenous vernaculars
Ethnic Groups: African 99%(Mandinika 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%) non-African 1%
Population:1,735,464(July 2008 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.724% per annum(2008 est)
Official language: English
Religion: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, others 1 %
Time Zone: GMT
Voltage: 220-240V, 50 Hz Weights & Measures: Metric Units
